Dwight Muhammad Qawi vs. Leon Spinks | Highlights HD [50fps] | March 22, 1986

Date: 1986-03-22
Location: Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, USA
Referee: Mills Lane
#dwightmuhammadqawi #leonspinks #highlights

[@Ma007rk]

Leon had to cut some weight on the same day this fight was scheduled on. He was pretty much drained. I'm not making any excuses for him because he had the same opportunity to lose weight as Dwight had. It's just too bad about what happened to Leon. His son Cory wouldn't have anything to do with him, and I don't think Michael Spinks had anything to do with him either. As long as he had money, he had "friends". That and the fact that even before he developed Dementia Pugilista he wasn't going to be taking any classes in Theoretical Physics. But he was a decent man. God rest his soul.

[@theparalexview785]

After the Olympics Michael put his own pro career on hold, and held a job as a janitor, in order to support their mother, try to provide some support and stability for Leon while training for Muhammad Ali. Michael took only three fights during that two year period. But after Leon nose dived personally and professionally, Michael had to look after himself. If you've had any dysfunctional family, especially with combined mental illness and substance abuse, you'd know they can drain you of everything you have - time, energy, money, love - and never show any improvement.

[@amck72]

Where are you getting your info from ? Cory was super close to his dad Leon. Michael and Leon were tight as well. Cory has given interviews and takes pride saying he felt he was a combination of his dad and uncle Michael in terms of fighting. They are also regarded as the greatest fighting family in history. What you probably don`t know is Cory also had three brothers, one got murdered but the other two were also national amateur champions, which motivated Cory to take up boxing being he was always being taken to the gym with them.

[@Ma007rk]

@@amck72 How about from Leon Spinks himself? In an interview that he did several years ago when his son was an active Boxer Leon made the comment that his son had not had any contact with him for a few years. The same thing with Michael his brother. That's not to say that later on they all reconciled with each other and everything worked out. There have been times with certain relatives that I wouldn't/didn't talk with them and it lasted for years but eventually we reconciled. The same thing I'm sure has happened with other people and their family as well. If what you are saying is true then I'm happy for the Spinks family collectively.

[@amck72]

@@Ma007rk Fair enough. Yes, that happens a lot in families. Now I`m thinking of it, I know Leon had a drug problem and for your brother and son not to talk to you for a period of time, something bad must of been up with him at that time frame.

[@amck72]

@Brad It has nothing to do with getting punch drunk. Leon has a drug/coke issue as early as 1978

[@mohammaddavoudian7897]

Qawi was a phenomenal fighter. Hard hitting, excellent chin & neck and always a true sportsman.

[@nicklasdyren4480]

Why did he taunt a shot Leon then?

[@seletarroots3258]

Look at Qawi enjoying himself! It´s like he´s a little kid at Disneyland! He makes infighting look not just effortless but like a really good time! But man is he relentless...

[@jeremycrandall2899]

I kinda wish Leon woulda connected on some of those punches when Qawi was “enjoying himself”, but I hear what you’re saying.

[@pughoneycutt1986]

Yeah he laughed a lot while throwing combinations, especially early in his career

[@JomoDaMusicMan]

@@jeremycrandall2899 Leon couldn't connect because Qawi, was showing great defense, bobbing & weaving and taunting the hell outta Leon. Leon was good, he even beat the greatest ALI

[@delzypii5531]

@@JomoDaMusicMan Right, he beat 36 year old Ali.

[@bobbytheblade2550]

Leon will not go down in boxing history as a great champion, but damn, he always gave 100% once that bell sounded. TOUGH AS NAILS! 🏆

[@ayrramadan8819]

No Question!

[@damonmanago9612]

Absolutely

[@roberthorton6619]

Drug problem

[@mohammaddavoudian7897]

The best referee who ever graced the ring. RIP.

[@williamscott3444]

Referee Mills Lane is still alive. He's in bad health but still kicking.

[@semihandyman5711]

“LETS GET IT ON”!!

[@mmarcam9031]

"ain't no fight" this is pounding.

[@obama7828]

@@williamscott3444 Didn't age well

[@ruzcelbeltran]

Yeah mills lane

[@Blackgodamen26]

Dwight ' Camden Buzzsaw' Qawi was one of my favorite Boxers, down to earth type brother who took no shit.

[@TheCrittercam001]

♥

[@l.a.french3063]

He sure didn't show much class in this fight.

[@vincentrobinson3078]

Dwight Qawi was only 5’5 , little over 210 lbs. . I always gave him respect cause he didn’t mind jumping in the ring , and hold his own with the big boys

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

5'7"

[@milojanis4901]

Unless it was George Foreman

[@razorraysolarsavings70]

Hahaha, you made the mf even shorter. 😂 Nah Qawi was 5’7” my friend.

[@amck72]

Dwight is 5`7 not 5`5. Don`t believe everything you see on Boxrec. Most of the time, the height numbers are wrong.

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

@@amck72 boxrec full of errors and biased rankings

[@rickrobitaille8809]

The Camden buzz saw..absolutely relentless..Aaron Pryor would be proud ⚡🇨🇦

[@JazzFunk22]

He sure was buzzing that night 🥊🥊

[@TheCrittercam001]

Dwight was a beast in the ring♥

[@ernestbutts9418]

Yeah, but I loved it when Leon little brother beat him

[@gew1898]

He quit against Foreman.

[@stavros693000]

@@gew1898 So would you!

[@Ramzblood]

@@gew1898 "I saw death in there". Good choice against Foreman

[@mohammaddavoudian7897]

@@ernestbutts9418 Qawi was given the word to lose. That's how the big boys behind the scene wanted it as 10s of million in betting were involved. Qawi could've finished off in the 1st round.

[@garfieldgrant6603]

Dwight Qawi Was A Beast Inside. A True Pugilist.

[@johnnyguy7263]

The fight that, doom ,Leon physically . RIP my dear ...Brother.

[@alover466]

It hurts to see leon like that... I loved his style

[@kevinhunt7014]

The good old days of boxing!

[@tommackay7433]

Two very, very tough SOBs. Wow.

[@Belburg]

Leon hit Dwight with some good shots, but Qawi was too much for him at this time.

[@Ffeoli1039]

Leon had no power in this fight. Due to cutting weight I would imagine

[@stevewatkins7144]

Both men were extremely tough. Brutal fight and kudos to the ref for stopping it.

[@williamgallucci9913]

Loved watching the all in all heart Leon spins not the most polished of fighters but was fun to watch him his brother was a world class champion

[@michaelmoran9399]

From what I've read Leon was a gentleman boxing is a hard sport .RIP champ

[@troyg.173]

Qawi is one boxer who is never given his flowers. This man was a champion

[@williamessex3518]

Mr. Leon Spinks won an Olympic gold medal for the United States. I was fortunate to see it on live tv with millions of other Americans. The U.S. boxing team was stacked with future champions and many great boxers. They made Americans everywhere proud of their achievements. Leon won gold and later, the heavyweight championship. Things turned south on him later in life, but he accomplished quite a bit in his life. I will always be a fan of his.

[@TENGU127]

I remember being in Joe Fraziers Gym on Broad Street, one day when Dwight Muhammad Qawi and Bert Cooper were there. Joe was training Bert and Dwight was working on the heavybag...it was like 20 young boxers in there, including myself...you would have thought there was a glitch in the Matrix that hot afternoon, because all of us were trying to imitate Joe, Dwight and Berts style. It was one of the most surreal moments I have experienced. Joe looked out into the group, pointing his finger at random wanna be boxers, including myself, and said loudly..."WRONG WRONG WRONG!!" lmao.

[@quranali3093]

😫😫😫

[@thelevisullivan]

The only man who could ever really fight like Joe was Joe. Ali said it himself after Manila.

[@itsnowornever6119]

What a fight, you have to give today's boxing 🥊 a miss.. those where the days when they earned their money 💰.

[@mohammaddavoudian7897]

100% spot on.

[@q4life551]

Qwai is the best undersized fighter of all time

[@chr970]

Wow Leon could take a punch. He got hit with bombs but stayed up. He even had lots left as evidenced by a few flurries himself. But right decision, he was getting hit with a lot of repeated shots to the head.

[@boxingexcellence79]

He went 1-8-1 after this fight so getting tagged, along with partying, may not have been a great idea.

[@batmasterson1715]

Been enjoying these vintage Qawi videos what a legit badass. He fought Foreman and gave up 9 inches of height but stood in front of him.

[@ramlangoddos4425]

I thought the referee was about to stop the fight when Dwight Qawi had Leon Spinks on the ropes, pumelling him at will. But Mills Lane continued the fight until he had seen enough. Dwight Muhammad Qawi is very tough fighter. But the fact that he was a natural middleweight boxer but stepped up to the light heavyweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions surprised me a lot.

[@RobertLofrano]

@Alpha Bravo Charlie and then faded into who knows where

[@amck72]

@@RobertLofrano I wouldn`t consider having a 20 year pro boxing career and only being stopped twice (Evander and Foreman) classified as faded into who knows where. 🙄

[@mookfarooq]

Interesting stuff

[@benjierodriguez6518]

Qawi was natural light heavyweight even though he was short. I don't think he ever fought as a middleweight. However he was one of my favorite fighters who could slip and weave punches so smoothly, but also could also fight bigger fighters so effectively. He always had a grin on his face. When asked about why he smile while fighting, he said he felt so good making a living, doing what he love to do, box. He was a great fighter.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

Qawi was never a natural middleweight he never even fought in middleweight. At the start of his career he was a light heavyweight he moved into cruiserweight as he got older as your natural weight does go up same to heavyweight.

[@sonnyliston8475]

Quawi was tough as a nails, fought Evander Holyfield twice and George Foreman at heavyweight. Strong dude

[@darylthomas9095]

Mills Lane is the best when it comes to judgment calls.

[@emj1794]

Yes

[@toddjones6474]

This is what I tell wrestlers. You may be underrated, undersized but you will never be over matched !

[@raulescobar7433]

Dwight Qawi was fun to watch

[@osirisito5641]

This man was using ultra instinct b4 it was a thing yo

[@nobbytang]

What a tough tough tough skilful fighter Dwight was …so so intense and the best ever head movement lve seen since Nino that Italian / Argentinian bloke in the 60 s …

[@trinkabuszczuk6138]

Good call, Mills. I could see that coming. Leon was way too brave for his own good.

[@bflo1000]

Leon was a Marine. Didn't move like his younger bro. Typical straight ahead jarhead fighting style.

[@rodneymullen313]

I miss this ref man he was great

[@demondturner2010]

Mills lane

[@9019dd]

Bryan1000 - I respect your opinion but as far as I am concerned, he was the worst ref in boxing. He was constantly interfering with the boxers and interrupting the flow of the fight when it wasn't called for. The boxers couldn't get into their rhythm. He wasn't really bad in this fight but you could see he kept jumping in and out. He was annoying. He thought the people came to see him referee and not to see the boxers fight. Whenever he refereed, I was always aggravated. I can't believe how many people like this guy.

[@rodneymullen313]

@@9019dd true I respect that man

[@Alex-cw3rz]

2:08 damn Qawi entered the matrix

[@user-lk6cj9yq4y]

Шикарный бой,Кави просто огонь!!!

[@charlesolson5101]

Qawi was on fire. The difference in abilities between the two fighters was like night and day

[@RobertLofrano]

1st mistake staying in the corner ,2nd not focusing on the body more and not headhunting, when he taunts hit him anywhere in the body and arms. Quai was just too slick.

[@joeblow2069]

Leon did not have the ability to use his jab and try to keep the fight in the middle of the ring. He had no jab. He was also terrible fighting going backwards.

[@ArchieFatcackie]

Mills Lane got that absolutely right.

[@tro8191]

Damn that audio was crazy. U could hear the hits so clearly. Got my a** knocked out 5 times just watchin!

[@nawfel5813]

Qawi indeed! Qawi means strong in arabic. Nerver heard of him so thanks to the algorithm

[@bman7452]

This is a nice quality video…great job.

[@Phantoman7]

Mills wanted to stop it so many times, but Leon would fire something back each time. Man!.. What action!

[@mcb7691]

Qwai had the ability to go from inside body work to up top head shots very well for a boxer of his height and had tremendous power for his size as well which created a problem for most of his taller bigger opponents!

[@dcaseng]

Spinks had heart, but Qawi was a BEAST. His head was made of granite, and he was relentless. That being said, the taunting isn't something I thought was necessary, and few people could get away with that without looking like a bully.

[@Aliensarethinking]

This is why Muhammad Ali is the greatest Heavy weight ever. He moved out of danger and around opponents like a welter weight

[@yabeenbamboozled5067]

When Holyfield says that Muhammad Qawi was the toughest fighter he faced, you already know you're about to watch a hot fight !!!

[@Memo-nd6fj]

One of the best fights that I have ever watched! You think Qawi was a monster, Evander matched everthing Dwight threw at him, and gave it back. Unbelievable action. I believe Evander was hospitalized after the fight.

[@Knards]

went to Tuesday Night at the Fights at the Palace in Auburn Hills Michigan way back in the 80's. Setting at the table right next to us was Leon. He gave us his autograph, and he had the best penmanship of anyone I have ever seen

[@samiam9008]

Damn ..Spinks could take a shot because, Qwai could wack and couldn't get him to drop. Qwai was like a slightly lesser Joe Frazier.

[@gew1898]

He fared about as well against Foreman as Frazier did.

[@samiam9008]

@@gew1898 Yeah ..small in comparison.

[@gew1898]

@@samiam9008 The same thing happened with Bert Cooper vs Foreman. Yet a smaller, tactical, fighter like Jimmy Young beat Foreman. Boxing is fascinating because the matchups often don’t work out the way you would think they would.

[@samiam9008]

@@gew1898 Yeah, and today's heavyweights are just to big for comparison with the likes of Marciano, Frazier and even Tyson. Since Lennox they have seemed to get even bigger.

[@gew1898]

@@samiam9008 Boxing sure isn’t what it used to be.

[@ghusaghusa2135]

That right hand couldn't miss Leon's head.

[@ezsmith3765]

Without commentators yapping nonstop you can hear the violence. LOVE IT

[@danielemerson312]

I first saw Dwight Muhammad Qawi in action when he was still called Dwight Braxton. He had just changed his name when he fought Leon's brother Michael, but had signed the contract as Braxton, so that's how the fight is recorded. His surname changed but his style didn't - hard as nails, an evasive mover, quick hands and always a chance of chaotic unpredictability. And that "is that all you've got?" smile!

[@robertleslie2467]

Leon Spinks " Ain't got not cocaine. Ain't got no teef's. And I definitely ain't got no drivers license." Leon was a joke to many beating and losing to Ali. Why that was back then I don't really know. Still. Leon was a standup guy worthy of respect and a tough hombre in the ring. Unlike his brother Michael who lost his fight against Mike Tyson before he even stepped in the ring.

[@JomoDaMusicMan]

many of us forgot about how entertaining Dwight Muhammad Qawi, was, he boxed he weaved he mocked & taunted his opponent, he had great defense, did u people watched how he made Leon miss with many of those punches, HE WAS A MINATURE SMOKIN JOE. This fight alone, makes us miss that golden age of boxing.. Tyson Fury and those modern Russian, including all fighters today, cannot compete with the entertainment of the fans, like ALI, SMOKIN JOE, QAWI, IRON MIKE, LARRY HOLMES, LENNOX LEWIS, SUGAR RAY's ( both), HIT MAN HEARNS, MARVELOUS MARVIN HAGLER, AND A DOZ OTHERS FROM THAT ERA

[@kelvintorres2675]

That Dwight Qwai was no joke 💯💪

[@therealfronzilla]

He moved up the heavy and George Foreman made him quit in the middle of a round.

[@throwball2248]

I’ve never seen this one wow! Dwight and Leon looked fast but this has to be the buzz saws best performance

[@emj1794]

Spinks wasn't moving his head enough to defend those head shots. And not using uppercuts when he had the opportunity would have slowed Qwai down.

[@mohdmohshin9809]

I love boxer Mohamed Qawi

[@stevestarr9769]

There were about five or six times Lane could have stopped the fight, but he gave Leon every chance to fight back. RIP Leon.

[@flubberlane8437]

Mills Lane made the right call.

[@lewismpangala927]

African brothers gives their best

[@vector8310]

Qawi was a heckuva combination puncher.

[@AndresBarba22]

We never get to see these fights any more, today fighter are not even a shadow of these fighters.

[@emj1794]

Right

[@adamevert1618]

An all time great! Right up there with the best! Appalling how they don't mention his name among the p4p all time greats!

[@acela30th]

For Qawi (Braxton), this was him vs Saad Muhammad 3, easy work chopping down a tree.

[@royhudson1461]

Man Leon could take a punch!!

[@Salieri47]

In 1976 Spinks was an Olympic gold medal winner. He won a portion of the world heavyweight title. By 1986 he was an opponent.

[@user-ze3yg1lb3r]

thanks KZbin, great suggestion, I never know about massa Qawi until now, Hats off. what he does 2:05-2:15 is one of amazing moments I've seen, along with some Roy Jones J and Prince naseem's wild joy moments. Man, I love Box

[@cjsansoo7]

I remember leon had a problem with his weight for this fight. I'm just glad he didn't get seriously hurt. his legacy..... one of only a handful of men to beat the great Ali. RIP.

[@LowenKoniig]

Ali was already out of his prime when he fought him.

[@steveh9789]

One of the best rounds I've ever seen.

[@hdvictoryford5329]

This is what happens when to tough men duke it out. And will say for me, DQ and Roy J were the 2 best defensive fighters I ever saw. And this was DQ at his best.

[@bflo1000]

He crouched and tucked his jaw behind his HUGE shoulder, only exposing his forehead as he moved in bobbing and weaving. What you had was a tank continually coming at you.

[@hdvictoryford5329]

@@bflo1000 He was also very short necked. In an interview he said, " I wish I would have never fought Saad M at this time. I was hungry and would do whatever it took to beat him. It was a terrible beating."

[@bflo1000]

@@hdvictoryford5329 Is that right? Dwight was nasty.

[@bflo1000]

@@hdvictoryford5329 That and also his huge chest helps protect even against uppercuts, LOL.

[@hdvictoryford5329]

@@bflo1000 Don't get your panties in a bunch. If you have a problem with what "HE" said. talk to him. DQ to me always fought mad, angry. And his words again, " If someone challenged me, they got to get dogged." If you do not agree, tell him. Those are his words. And when he fought MS. I truly felt bad for MS. He could do nothing to get DQ's respect. DS walked through his punches and smiled while doing so. And yup, that right!!!!!!!!!

[@daveanaru3038]

I'm just glad that Mills Lane was there to stop the slaughter. Other refs... you never know.

[@zacariaspiedrasdelrio8984]

Qwai always remind me joe frasier, a real tough cookie!

[@TheArtofBoxing101]

Qawi is INCREDIBLY underrated. EXTREMELY illsuive and it comes so naturally. Dude could just put his head there and it looks like Leon is just missing on purpose stationary (obv its not). A perfectly timed jab and a long ass reach but he can throw punches with full extension REALLY CLOSE TO YOU right in the pocket like a 65" reach guy (great distance control). I mean to be 5'5 and 210+ lbs is nuts so he has a lot of Tyson esq qualities. Keeping in mind this fight was in 86 and Tyson had to have either just had been or just became heavyweight champ and this is at cruiser, they had a shot to fight if Qawi was a heavyweight back then. Def in 85 I think he woulda been Mike's tuneup. That would have been a styelistic fuckup though, I believe Tyson's pure boxing ability back then and incredible power would end even Qawi's incredible durability , defense, and chin.

[@rexscipio3344]

This is sad. Qawi put on a clinic. Great champion at light heavyweight and cruiserweight. Destroyed Saad Muhammad in 10 rounds and then 6 in the rematch. Even went 15 with Holyfield and Spinks in a closely contested fight and 7 with Foreman. And did this while only standing 5-7.

[@whitehurstcomic]

Qawi was incredible.

[@xjumpermb]

Beautiful combinations….

[@jamesdenecochea5709]

I was living in Reno at the time, Qwai was a monster that night... Mills Lane should have volumes written about him. He was definitely a 'pitbull'!

[@jeremyboyd8659]

Yea this wasn't the Leon Spinks that had the two run ins with Ali...Little to no defense, no footwork, no swift combinations but the heart and instinct of a fighter got him through

[@TravelingTal]

They both really liked that particular corner.

[@peteryeung111]

Man what a fight. I wish they had the punching sound effects.

[@ajazahmad2844]

Muhammad Alis revenge taken by Muhammad Qawi.. this spinka fought old Muhammad Ali when he was retired ..money make a person helpless ... I enjoyed how Qawi punished spinks

[@lordburlap4514]

He had that grin in the fight that was always frightening…

[@valentinorossi7771]

I first watched Qawi (Braxton then) knocking out Matthew Saad Muhammad in the early 0's and boy he was so muscular at light heavyweight being 5 '6-1/2". Then I saw him fight Michael Spinks which he lost. After that his fights against Holyfield and was knocked out in the second fight. Foreman hammered Qawi, prompting the referee to stop the fight. Qawi was always an entertaining fighter to watch,

[@enjelmada8656]

M.Qawi ❤️😘👍The Best 👍

[@zeebest1004]

Ali knew who who he could safely give his title to!

[@sy5599]

Mills should have stopped that fight long before he did. Too many clean shots from Qawi to Leon's head.

[@brian2100]

Good job 👏

[@danisattar9325]

Wow 😯 👏👏👏

[@safielimjema4593]

Omg that why they said old is gold very professional fighting.

[@sodeepopkid6855]

Qwai is a slightly smaller version of Joe Frasier. His fights with Matthew Saad were wars.

[@ckobo84]

Shorter version anyhow. Frazier had no upper body.

[@MeshackWabomba-hb6sq]

Never seen hard punches like for Qawi

[@srikalahasticreation5849]

Wonderful

[@patring620]

It's good to see Mills Lane in there looking spry.

[@davidgingerich2230]

Awesome

[@tommystyx]

This shows why Mills Lane was the best ref ever.

[@Salieri47]

Leon would rally just enough to keep Lane from stopping the fight, but in the end it was Qawi taking target practice. Whatever his issues, Leon always fought hard.

[@Strato13]

Damn.. Quality be like "I'm taking your snickers, taking your cola pop, taking your twinkled, taking your burrito..." lol Having himself a God of time in that ring.

[@sodeepopkid6855]

Mills Lane is one of the greatest refs ever but he needed to relax a bit in this fight. Dude made me nervous.

[@mikeprevost8650]

Mills knows his fighters, and he knew that Leon had no business being in the ring with Qwai---or any other good fighter--at this stage of his career. I think he had reason to be on edge and worried about Spinks.

[@lesberkley3821]

Leon Spinks could have been a hell of a fighter, but he got betrayed by greedy bastards all the way.